Fatma Nabil made her first appearance on the Channel 1 midday broadcast, wearing a black suit and a cream-coloured scarf or hijab covering the hair and neck.
Until the revolution that toppled president Hosni Mubarak last year and brought a Muslim Brotherhood president to power, women in Islamic headscarves and particularly full-face veils had been kept firmly out of the media.
Women who wore hijab were allowed to work in Egypt's Radio and Television Union as long as it was off-camera.
But new Islamist Information Minister Salah Abdel Maqsud told a private satellite channel on Saturday he could see no reason why a woman in hijab could not present the national news.
"Finally the revolution has reached" Egyptian media, Nabil told the Muslim Brotherhood's daily newspaper, Freedom and Justice.
The 2011 uprising opened the way for the long-banned but powerful Brotherhood, as well as other Islamist movements, which won a crushing victory in parliamentary elections.
President Mohamed Morsi resigned from the Brotherhood -- Egypt's largest and most organised political force -- when he was elected president in June.
Most Muslim women in Egypt wear the hijab, which covers the hair. The niqab, which covers the entire face, is also becoming more popular on the country's streets.
COMMENTS (21)
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@ Lanatik Malik, France has never banned hijab, it's banned NIQAT, full cover of face, BTW, its their country and they've all the rights to do so. For your information, those who wish to protect their dignity, they do so without hijabs and niqabs, whereas there are a number of women who do all the filthy work behind the veil.
@Malik: France has not banned the hijab. Only covering your face in public is banned and that is a good thing. Who would like to live in a society where a certain group of people are expected to cover their phases.
Sad news about Egypt. Let's hope freedom and democracy will win ...
My heartiesht congrajulations to Misri people for having their own Zia-ul-Haq shaheed. All you need now is a sick country like Aphganistan next to you.
Mash'Allah. May all our sisters be modest and protect themselves as Allah Subhanwa'tallah has ordained. A slap to the French for banning the hijab. Allahu Akbar *3~
Excellent, may ALLAH help them and us in establishihng Islam in our countires.
President Mohamed Morsi resigned from the Brotherhood — Egypt’s largest and most organised political force — when he was elected president in June. A message for our leaders.
The issue now is will non hijab women can be a TV anchor in Egypt?
Hijab (head covering) <> Niqab (Face covering)
If Zai ul Haq mentality does not follow it like it did in Pakistan then its fine.
More important is Truth in news not veils.
If she is wearing the hijab by her own free will, I support her right to do so, and I condemn anybody who opposes her freedom of expression. However, if she is under pressure to wear the hijab, I condemn those who are pressuring her. Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
''subsequent rise of Islamists.'' - shame on ET for using that word. If she wants to wear a hijab so what? its her choice.
This woman has the hijaab not a veil. A veil is a niqaab which will hide the face.
She should have full veil to be true muslim for Mullah. way to go for Egypt. One small step in direction of Aganistan/Iran for Egypt
SubhanAllah!! and it's a pity what is happening in Pakistani electronic media nowadays is totally opposite of that.
Absolutely! There is no reason in banning woman just because they wear niqab. The point here is to get information about the event, not about woman's make up or body.
The lady in the picture is not veiled.
good news.
I hope that she wore the hijab by her own will and not bring dictated like our ptv news anchors in the era of Zia....
Next step to be with "Wuzu" During news casting if Wuzu breakes will ask excuse for renewal of Wuzu.
Well Done Morsi..Keep it up..